Spotlight: All About Apples
Get ready to dive into the classic apple tree family. We felt it fitting to highlight this group as we prepare for a cozy fall where apples are a key fruit in harvest. Keep reading to the end for a sweet surprise!
how about them apples?
Apples are one of the most popular fruits in the entire world. With over 250 million bushels of apples sold each year, it’s no surprise that they are typical staple in most households. And guess what? We’re happy to share that they are fairly easy to grow in your own backyard! Once planted, they are the gifts that keep on giving, making them an incredibly cost effective option and excellent long-term investment.
There are two ways that apple trees are typically bred: through seed or through the grafting method. Grafting is when an existing part of the tree is tied to a root stock to grow a completely new tree. This method produces lots more fruit than simply growing it by seed and for that reason, it continues to be a very popular method for farmers and beginners alike.
popular apple trees
You may have noticed that apples have diversity, simply by observing the plethora of varieties sold at your local grocery store. However, it still may come to your surprise that there are over 8,000 varieties of apples out there that are all shapes and sizes! Some popular varieties include:
Granny Smith — self-fertile, fast growing, the best apple for pies
Honeycrisp — crispy, crunchy, juicy
Gala — one of the most popular, easy to grow, typically immune to diseases
Fuji — crisp, suuuuper sweet, great for baking
Pink Lady — grown in most seasons since it is tolerant of many climates, unlike other apples
Red Delicious — the most classic of apples and also extremely low maintenance
how to care for them
Growing apples is a long-term commitment. It can take up to a couple of years until you can harvest your apple orchard (the grafting method is known to sometimes produce fruit in just one year!). Some other important details are to do research on your climate so you can choose an apple tree that will thrive in its environment and to search for self-fertile trees that can produce fruit on their own. (Many apple trees are required to cross-pollinate in order to grow apples).
Light: most require 8 hours of full sun
Soil: acidic, well-drained soil
Water: apple trees are pretty low maintenance and don’t require much water unless you are in a significantly dry area. In that case, give it about 8 inches of water twice per month.
Pruning: apple trees can grow chaotically, so pruning early on will be your best friend. Prune to produce even-shaped apples and to ensure it receives proper sun exposure and airflow. Also make sure to remove any damaged branches/debris that can hinder the health of your apple trees.
*Note that apples can ebb and flow… just like us! It’s normal for them to not bear fruit consistently. This is why it’s helpful to have multiple trees in the case that one of them has a harder year.
The best Apple Pie Recipe
We’re sharing a tried and true apple pie recipe from Little Spoon Farm for you to try at home! If you try this recipe, send us a photo to our email gpl@goldenpalmlandscape.com. We’d love to see your creation!
INGREDIENTS
2 (9") pie crusts
7 large Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored and sliced into ½ inch slices)
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup light brown sugar (loosely packed)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon lemon juice (plus the zest of half of a lemon)
1 large egg (lightly beaten in a small bowl for egg wash)
2 tablespoons sanding sugar (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Start by preparing this flaky pie crust recipe which makes 2 (9") pie crusts, one for the bottom and one for the top of the pie. The pie dough will need to chill for at least 1 hour before rolling out. Or use a store-bought pie crust and follow package directions.
Place oven rack in the center position and Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C).
In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice and lemon zest; toss to coat evenly.
Remove the pie crust dough from the fridge and let rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll one disc into a 12" circle that is ⅛" thick. Carefully lay the crust into the bottom of a deep dish pie plate.
Spoon the apple filling over the bottom crust and discard juices at the bottom of the bowl. Roll out the second disc of pie crust until it is ⅛" thick and lay it over the apple filling.
Use a sharp knife to trim the dough along the outside edge of the pie plate. Lift the edges where the two pie crust meet, gently press to seal and fold them under. Rotate the pie plate and repeat this process until edges are neatly tucked under themselves. Cut 4 slits in the top of the dough to allow steam to vent. Place the pie on a baking sheet.
Brush the surface of the pie crust with the egg wash and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Cover the edges with a pie shield or a strip of foil to keep them from over browning during the first 25 minutes.
Bake at 400°F (204°C) for 25 minutes. Carefully remove the pie shield, turn the oven down to 375° and continue to bake for an additional 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the juices are bubbly. Cool at room temperature for at least 3 hours.